Romania

Rugged stone churches and dazzling monasteries dot a pristine landscape of rocky mountains and rolling hills. Transylvanian towns have stepped out of time, while vibrant Bucharest is all energy.

SIGHIȘOARA

In the morning we have visited a nice and compact city on the Tarnava River. It is located in the historic region of Transylvania. German craftsmen and merchants, the Transylvanian Saxons, were invited here by the King of Hungary during the 12th century, to settle and defend the frontier...

VISCRI

Short late afternoon visit of one of the most beautiful Saxon villages in Transylvania protected by UNESCO with a great fortified church built in 1100 AD. In 1185 Saxons colonized the area settling in the south-east of Transylvania and built many colorful traditional buildings. The Viscri...

BRAȘOV

Bad weather followed us to the ancient city in the Transylvania ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. It’s known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions and the towering Gothic-style Black Church. Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square) in the cobbled old town is surrounded by colorful...

RÂȘNOV

After visiting so many castles we made overnight under the fortress built in the years 1211-1225 by Teutonic Knights. It was bad rainy weather, so in the morning we have decided, not to climb it up, but better move on to the city of Brasov. Corona Annex – August 25, 2021 In 2018, we had...

BRAN CASTLE

Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula, is a Transylvanian Count with a castle located high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below in the Principality of Transylvania. Bran Castle was built between 1377 and 1388 atop a strategic site overlooking a heavily trafficked...

PELEȘ CASTLE

After arrival in Sinaia, we visited Peles Castle. This Neo-Renaissance castle lays in the Carpathian Mountains, near Sinaia, on an existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia, built between 1873 and 1914. This castle was used as a summer residence by the kings of Romania...

SIBIU

After a long drive from Poienari Citadel through the mountains, we arrived in the late afternoon in Sibiu. We have walked a few hours around this important historical city in Transylvania. It’s known for the Germanic architecture in its old town, the legacy of 12th-century Saxon settlers...

THE TRANSFĂGĂRĂSAN

Driving nirvana on DN7C – it is a paved mountain road crossing the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains, more than 150 kilometers in length the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and best-known road thanks to an appearance on BBC Top Gear in 2009 (Jeremy...

POIENARI CITADEL

Overnight under the real “Dracula’s Castle” and morning climb (1480 steps) to the summit in a group guarded by local Gendarmerie (too many wild bears in the forest). It was once a powerful fortress at the entrance to a strategic pass linking Wallachia with Transylvania...

CURTEA DE ARGEȘ

We had a great afternoon in one of the oldest cities in Wallachia. It lies on the left bank of the Argeş River in a valley of the lower Carpathians. Curtea de Arges Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Romania and a must-see attraction if you’re looking to discover centuries...